01/26/2026
UPDATE!!!
I received a series of messages from an individual who has had dealings with the client who refused to make his final payment. They were threatened with legal action, witnessed lies told by this gentleman to his lawyer, and confirmed that this fellows modus operandi is to avoid culpability for his actions or commitments by any means necessary. Please contact me by DM if you require his name, lest you find yourself in a business transaction with this person
Received a call on December 23rd, from a "gentleman" who had just closed on a house purchase in Drumheller. Did a walk through on Christmas eve (like you do!), and returned a quotation 5 days later. Explained my terms, which of course had to be modified to suit HIS needs. Pricing was easily 30-40% below market value for the work, as is usual for me. Started on January 2nd, as i had exactly 10 days before a previously booked project was due to commence.
As work began, he decided to gut the bathrooms and tear up the flooring WHILE we were working. The house was filthy to begin with, and the removal of fixtures and flooring only added to the mess. Picking carpet fibers off of freshly painted doors and trim was annoying to say the least.
An upstairs bathroom was allowed to pour a large enough quantity of water on the floor, as to saturate and ruin areas of drywall in the bathroom directly below.
I spent every available minute completing this job, and even made arrangements to leave the subsequent job to go back for 4 hours of touch up, some legit, but most, absolutely ridiculous. Did my best to address his perceived issues, as payment was being withheld.
Was informed that the work still did not meet his expectations, and the balance due was never paid.
I would happily walk 50 people through this dwelling, before and after the work, and would be absolutely confident that none would say that he did not receive excellent value for money.
These are the realities of being a small town tradesman who accepts people at their word.
Worth noting; this is the first unpaid project out of literally at least a thousand.......